Find Arrest Records in Washington County
Washington County arrest records are managed by the Sheriff's Office in Chatom. That's the county seat. This rural county in southwest Alabama was the first one created in the state. It was founded on June 4, 1800. That's nearly two decades before Alabama even became a state. The Sheriff's Office handles all arrest documentation, booking records, and jail operations. If you need to find someone who was arrested here or get a copy of arrest records, this page explains how.
Washington County Quick Facts
Washington County Sheriff's Office
The Washington County Sheriff's Office is the main law enforcement agency for the county. They handle arrests in unincorporated areas. They also run the county jail and keep all arrest and booking records. The department is based in Chatom. That town serves as both the county seat and the jail location.
| Main Office Address | 45 Court Street Chatom, AL 36518 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | (251) 847-2208 |
| Fax Number | (251) 847-5007 |
| Office Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Judicial Circuit | 1st Judicial Circuit of Alabama |
County Jail Facility
The Washington County Jail is at the Sheriff's Office complex in Chatom. It's a smaller rural facility. It holds people awaiting trial, those serving short sentences, and folks being moved to state prison. The jail sees fewer inmates than urban counties do. But it keeps the same standards for documentation and record-keeping that apply across Alabama.
Want to visit someone in the jail? Call the Sheriff's Office at the number listed above. They can tell you about visit hours and inmate rules. They can also explain how to put money on an inmate account. Washington County is a smaller place. They may not have a web-based inmate lookup like larger counties do.
How to Get Arrest Records
Getting arrest records in Washington County is pretty simple. You may need to go in person or send a written request. Online access is limited here. Below are the main ways to ask for records from the Sheriff's Office.
In-Person Requests
The most direct way to get arrest records is to visit the Sheriff's Office. It's at 45 Court Street in Chatom. Go during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID. Be ready to give details about the person whose records you need. Staff can often help you right away for simple requests. Some searches take more time. It depends on how far back you need to go or how common the name is.
Mail Requests
You can mail a written request to the Sheriff's Office at the address listed above. In your letter, include the person's full name. Add their date of birth if you know it. Include the rough date of arrest or time period you want searched. Don't forget your return address. Also send payment for any fees. Mail requests usually take 1-2 weeks. It can take longer if the search is complex or if they need to pull older records from storage.
Phone Inquiries
For quick questions about current inmates or recent arrests, you can call the Sheriff's Office. Keep in mind they may not give you detailed info over the phone. This is especially true for older records. It's also true if you can't verify your identity. Phone calls work best for simple questions. Like whether someone is currently in custody.
What You Can Get
The Sheriff's Office can give you copies of arrest reports, booking sheets, incident reports, and related documents. Some records may be restricted under Alabama law. Juvenile records are not public. Sealed court files aren't either. Records from ongoing investigations are also off limits. The staff can let you know what's available for your specific request.
Washington County Circuit Court
Washington County is part of the 1st Judicial Circuit of Alabama. This circuit also includes Clarke and Choctaw counties. The judges rotate between all three counties. Criminal cases that go beyond the initial arrest stage are handled by the Circuit Court. That's where felony trials, appeals, and other serious matters get decided.
| Court | 1st Judicial Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Address | Washington County Courthouse P.O. Box 548 Chatom, AL 36518 |
| Circuit Clerk Phone | (251) 847-2208 |
Using Alacourt Access
Alabama runs a statewide court records system called Alacourt Access. This online database has case info from circuit and district courts across the state. That includes Washington County. You can search for criminal cases by the defendant name, case number, or other details. The system shows case dockets and hearing dates. It also shows charges filed and final outcomes. Full access to Alacourt needs a paid subscription. But you might be able to use public terminals at the courthouse for free.
District Court Records
Misdemeanor cases in Washington County go through District Court. Not Circuit Court. This includes charges like simple assault and minor drug possession. Also DUI, petty theft, and most traffic offenses. District Court records are available through Alacourt Access. You can also contact the District Clerk at the courthouse.
Other Ways to Find Records
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA)
Need a background check that covers more than just Washington County? ALEA maintains the state criminal history repository. A request through ALEA will pull arrest records from all counties in Alabama. Not just Washington County. This is the best option when you need a statewide criminal history check. It's also good when you're not sure which county the arrest happened in. ALEA background checks need fingerprinting. There's also a fee of around $25.
VINE Notification System
Alabama VINE is a free service. It lets victims and other concerned people track offender custody status. If someone you know was arrested in Washington County, you can register with VINE. You'll get phone calls, emails, or text messages when their status changes. They'll notify you if the person is released. Same if they're transferred to another facility or escape. The service runs 24 hours a day. It's completely free.
Local Police Departments
The Sheriff's Office handles most law enforcement in Washington County. But smaller towns may have their own police. If an arrest happened within city limits, the arrest report might be with that city's police department. Even if the person ended up in the county jail. Check with local police if you think the arrest happened in a specific town.
Fees for Record Requests
Washington County charges fees for copies of arrest records. These fees cover staff time to search and retrieve records. They also cover copying costs. Exact fees can vary. It's a good idea to call ahead. Or include extra payment with mail requests.
| Document Type | Typical Fee |
|---|---|
| Arrest Report Copy | $5.00 - $15.00 |
| Incident Report | $5.00 |
| Additional Pages | $0.25 per page |
| Certified Copy | $5.00 extra per document |
| ALEA Background Check | $25.00 |
The Sheriff's Office typically takes cash or money order for payment. Personal checks may or may not be accepted. Call ahead to ask about payment methods. Do this if you plan to visit in person. Also do it if you want to know exactly how much to send with a mail request.
Laws About Arrest Records
Alabama law determines what arrest records are public. It also says what records are protected from disclosure. Here's an overview of the main laws that apply to arrest record requests in Washington County.
Public Records Access
Under Alabama Code Section 36-12-40, citizens have the right to inspect and copy public records. Arrest records are generally public. This means booking info, charges, and case outcomes are usually available. Some info is exempt. This includes records from ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and sealed court files.
Criminal History Records
Alabama Code Sections 41-9-590 through 41-9-646 set up the Criminal Justice Information Center. They also govern how criminal history data is collected and shared. ALEA serves as the central hub for this info. They get arrest data from local agencies like the Washington County Sheriff's Office. That's why you can request a statewide criminal history check through ALEA. You don't have to contact each county one by one.
Expungement and Sealing
Under Alabama Code Section 15-27-1 and Section 15-27-2, some people can petition to have arrest records expunged or sealed. Expungement is available when charges were dismissed. It's also available if the person was found not guilty. Or if prosecutors decided not to pursue the case. Some misdemeanor and non-violent felony convictions may also qualify. Once records are expunged, they're not available to the public. Law enforcement can still see them for official purposes though.
Juvenile Records
Alabama Code Section 12-15-136 protects records involving juveniles. If the person was under 18 when the alleged offense happened, their arrest records are generally confidential. They're not available to the public. Getting access to juvenile records usually needs a court order. There are limited exceptions for immediate family.
Tips for Finding Records
Here are some practical tips to help you find arrest records in Washington County more easily.
Know the Details
The more info you have about the person and the arrest, the faster your search will go. Try to find out the person's full legal name. Get their date of birth too. Also the rough date when the arrest happened. Common names can create problems. There might be multiple people with the same name in the system.
Check Multiple Sources
Sometimes arrest records are split between different agencies. The Sheriff's Office has booking and jail records. But court records are kept by the Circuit Clerk. If an arrest led to criminal charges, you might need info from both places. That's how you get the full picture.
Consider the Timeline
Very old records may be stored off-site or in archives. That takes longer to retrieve. If you're looking for an arrest from many years ago, expect the search to take more time. For recent arrests, the info is usually easier to find. It's faster to get too.
Be Patient with Small Offices
Washington County is a small place with limited staff. Response times may be longer than what you'd get in a big city or major county. If you need records fast, call ahead. Ask about turnaround times. That can help you plan.
Towns in Washington County
Washington County is a rural county with no large cities. The county seat is Chatom. It's a small town with around 1,200 people. Other small communities in the county include Millry, McIntosh, and Fruitdale. None of these towns meet the 100,000 population threshold for a separate city page on this site.
Arrests made anywhere in Washington County are generally processed through the county jail in Chatom. Records are kept by the Sheriff's Office. Looking for arrest records for someone who was picked up in any of these smaller towns? The county sheriff is the place to start your search.
Nearby Counties
Can't find arrest records in Washington County? The person may have been arrested in a neighboring county. Each county keeps its own records through its Sheriff's Office. Here are the counties that border Washington County.
Clarke and Choctaw counties are part of the same 1st Judicial Circuit as Washington County. The circuit judges rotate between all three. Mobile County to the south is much larger. It has more extensive online resources and a bigger jail system.